Leonen: MILF 'touched by PNoy's speech'

By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panel was touched by the President’s speech on Sunday when he mentioned that the new political entity envisioned by the framework agreement will be given the name “Bangsamoro.”

The government’s chief negotiator Marvic Leonen told reporters that both sides interrupted the closing ceremonies of the 32nd formal exploratory talks Sunday noon in Kuala Lumpur to watch the broadcast of the President’s live address.

Leonen shared that there was standing ovation after the President delivered the message.

Leonen said that the MILF “never questioned” Aquino’s sincerity in negotiating peace.

“After the President spoke, there was standing ovation in the room. I should share with you that the MILF was touched emotionally by the speech of the President lalo na nung sinabi niya, ‘This place deserves a name and that name is Bangsamoro.’ Laking bagay, kasi bigla nilang nakita isang Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, nakatira sa palasyo ng Malacañang, got it, understands. Pangalan pa lang ibibigay na sa amin, bakit hindi?” Leonen told reporters.